How to DATE a 1952 Tele reissue by the Neck?

[Goldstrat]

I have a 52 reissue Tele that I was going to sell. I know the guy I got it from and he said he bought it in 1982 the first year they came out. Of course I got the usual what's in the neck pocket, how much does it way etc. questions? I took the ad down because I did not not want to find out it was not a 1982. God forbid I guess the little numbers make it play better or something. So anyway how do I date it from the crap inside the neck pocket? All the neck has on it is VINTAGE on the end and the pocket of the body has a circle stamp and a green 2 penned in and a half legible stamp date. I will post pics in a minute! Thank you for any help on this because I need to sell it and it is a very nice guitar.

[guitarmook]

I didn't take any pics when it was apart, but my 52 RI has a date stamp on both the body and the neck (April '83). I'm not saying it's WRONG, but something doesn't look right about that one.

Do you have the original 3-saddle bridge? The early 52RIs had a serial number stamped on the bridge, and later ones had the serial number, but with a dimple to distinguish from (true) vintage bridges.

You might also ask the folks at www.tdpri.com and at http://www.webervst.com/telecaster/

[Goldstrat]

Originally Posted by guitarmook

I didn't take any pics when it was apart, but my 52 RI has a date stamp on both the body and the neck (April '83). I'm not saying it's WRONG, but something doesn't look right about that one.

Do you have the original 3-saddle bridge? The early 52RIs had a serial number stamped on the bridge, and later ones had the serial number, but with a dimple to distinguish from (true) vintage bridges.

You might also ask the folks at www.tdpri.com and at http://www.webervst.com/telecaster/

Here is the Bridge and the serial number is 3994 with no dimple!

[Goldstrat]

To add even more confusion I just checked the Pots and they are 1377826 which is 1978 CTS pots.

[stevieboy]

Defintely ask on the TDPRI and you'll likely find out everything you want to know and way more. The pot dates would only add to the confusion if they were later than when you think the guitar was made, they aren't so old that they might not have been sitting around unused til '82.

I did a little looking around the TDPRI It looks like they generally used pencil dates on the neck.

But there a couple of things that would back up the '82 date. One of the more knowledgable members at the TDPRI posted this--"The 1st USA 52ri's have vintage stamped on the neck and sometimes in the neck pocket and they have plastic wires not cloth covered." Also, when they first came out they were called "Vintage Telecaster" not '52 RI. That's of course consistent with the VINTAGE stamp on yours. I did see a pic or two of '82 neck dates penciled in--no VINTAGE stamp--that suggest that yours may have predated those.

[scottlr]

There seems to be a premium on the early 52 RIs on ebay. I have seen a few from Fullerton go for $2000 or more!

[Goldstrat]

Originally Posted by stevieboy

Defintely ask on the TDPRI and you'll likely find out everything you want to know and way more. The pot dates would only add to the confusion if they were later than when you think the guitar was made, they aren't so old that they might not have been sitting around unused til '82.

I did a little looking around the TDPRI It looks like they generally used pencil dates on the neck.

But there a couple of things that would back up the '82 date. One of the more knowledgable members at the TDPRI posted this--"The 1st USA 52ri's have vintage stamped on the neck and sometimes in the neck pocket and they have plastic wires not cloth covered." Also, when they first came out they were called "Vintage Telecaster" not '52 RI. That's of course consistent with the VINTAGE stamp on yours. I did see a pic or two of '82 neck dates penciled in--no VINTAGE stamp--that suggest that yours may have predated those.

Thanks for that info! I was going to sell this and get a Les Paul but I haven't been able to find one that plays and sounds near this guitar so I will probably keep it regardless.

[scottlr]

I would! I am gas'n bad for a black guard. I think I am going to go the Baja route, and will probably end re-wiring it. I just love the neck, and the price!